I just Bought a Tarpon 12

Fishing Paddling
1

Got a good deal on a 2010 model but kind of a weird color “Jade/White”. It is not the “Fishing” model so I need to make improvements. My questions are first any body know if I can paint this Yak a better color like Blaze Orange and what should I add to to make my yak more fishable?

2

I assume you mean a Tarpon 120 by Wilderness Systems. You cannot paint a rotomolded kayak. The oil in the plastic will make the paint peal and it will look terrible. Stay with the color you have and add the accessories you need.

My choice of accessories would be:

  1. Scotty fly rod holder at the front of the cockpit.
  2. Scotty fly rod holder on the casting side behind the seat.
  3. Flush mount rod holder on the non casting side, behind the seat.
  4. Anchor trolley system and 1.5# folding anchor on your non casting side.
  5. Stakeout pole (can be made from 4’ section of PVC with the bottom cut at 45 deg and a “T” at the top)
  6. Paddle leash.
  7. Kayak leash to attach to the front of the kayak ( I use the front handle at a tie off point). This is just a nylon 3/8" rope about 15 feet long that you can tie around you waist when you are wading.
  8. And, of course, the obligatory milk crate.
3

The only thing I would add to the above list is a lfe jacket designed for use with a kayak or an inflatable life jacket.

4

Bought a life jacket, paddle w/leash before I got the yak. I was planning on getting one Scotty rod holder, could use two though. I hadn’t thought about the rest of the stuff except why a flush mount rodholder?

5

I have both a flush mount rod holder and a rod holder mounted on top of the kayak. I like the flush mount better because it sits lower and haven’t had trouble with the mounting screws coming loose. It seems to be more secure but was more trouble to mount. I had to cut a hole about one inch in diameter besides drill four holes for the mounting screws and then seal the whole works up with Goop after I mounted the rod holder.

6

Actually the flush mount I was talking about is the standard flushmount in fishing kayaks. It is a tube that is mounted into the kayak in which you would stick the handle of a spinning rod. It is not suitable for fly rods and is only necessary if you want to carry a spinning rod also.

http://www.austinkayak.com/products/74/Flush-Mount-Rod-Holder.html

If you are only putting two rod holders on, forget the flush mount and put the second scotty mount on the non casting side. Keep the casting side of the kayak as clear as possible for casting. The scotty fly rod mounts are great for spinning rods also.

7

I think I understand, as a flush mount for a Scotty rod holder?

On the Stake out pole, White or Gray PVC and what size 1/2, 3/4, 1, 2?

8

dunfly, our answers & new questions crossed each other. I don’t plan to carry a spinning rod.

9

I use 1/2" (ID) Schedule 80 PVC (grey), the kind they use for irrigation system above ground risers. It is heavier than Schedule 40, but is stiffer. Schedule 40 (white) will work but stiffness varies. Try to find the stiffest you can.

I found the 1/2" X 48" riser at Home Depot.

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-202314096/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

10

I can get sch. 80 here, used localy for electrical conduit, not much irrigation done here it gets to cold in wintertime.

Thanks for the help guys, as usual ya’ll have been a great help.

11

If you are going to be fishing in rivers, you want your anchor line to be coming out of the boat dead center of the keel line. If it is off to one side, the boat will angle in the current and increase drag and it will start swaying back and forth. Last year I watched a lady drop an anchor over the side of her yak with the rope tied to the side of the boat. When the anchor grabbed, it flipped so fast she fell in and got tangled in the anchor line. We had to cut the rope. If you float only lakes, the trolly system is great.

BTW, anchoring in current is dangerous and only do it in places you wouldn’t mind wading in or where the current is very slow.

Good luck with your modifications!

12

Excellent points. I fish saltwater flats so current is not a great issue. You have to be very careful anchoring in a current. This brings up another piece of equipment that I always have - a flip open knife with a clip that I always keep clipped to my life jacket.

13

I know the dangers of anchoring in current, I’m planning to fish in many of the oxbow lakes we have here in W KY along the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers also the small bays in Ky and Barkley lakes. There shouldn’t be to many current issues on these waters, just ignorant power boaters to deal with.

14

Took the yak out for a trial run Sunday afternoon and had a blast, even snuck up within four feet of a raft of about 200 ducks before they blasted away.

Thanks for the help guys

15

Oh yeah, you are going to have the time of your life this summer in that boat!